Man Killed

June 20, 2012

A Newton man was killed Tuesday afternoon when he was hit by a car while riding a lawnmower near his mailbox.

Charles Albert Warren, 67, was on a riding lawnmower in N.C. 10 when he was hit from behind by a west-bound 2000 Toyota Camry driven by Betty Witten Cash, 65 of Newton. The accident about 5:15 p.m. closed both directions of N.C. 10 near Startown Crossroads for nearly four hours as Newton Police investigated the accident. Traffic was detoured around the site throughout the evening commute.

Bystanders and emergency responders were quick to administer CPR on the man, according to emergency radio transmissions, but after Catawba County EMS transported Warren to Catawba Valley Medical Center he was pronounced dead from his injuries.

The O-N-E was firs to report the accident online at www.observernewsonline.com, and witnesses at the scene told O-N-E reporters they saw Warren pull his mower out into traffic while apparently mowing around his mailbox.

Newton Police Capt. Tim Hayes said that after officers consulted with Catawba County District Attorney Jay Gaither's office, it was determined that no charges would be filed.